The Best Movies You’ll Be Seeing in 2013 (Probably)

Here at Wired we're all about the future. Talking about it, living in it, and looking forward to it. So now that 2012 is history, it's time to look at the best of what is yet to come in the world of movies with our most anticipated films of 2013.

Some of these flicks are continuations of franchises we already know we love — the next Iron Man installment, another Hunger Games chapter — but others are wholly new endeavors (yes, Hollywood still does those) like Guillermo del Toro's giant-monsters-versus-giant-robots adventure movie Pacific Rim and Steven Soderbergh's psychological thriller Side Effects.

There are also a few more non-Hobbit literary adaptations headed to theaters in 2013: the next Hunger Games movie, Catching Fire and Baz Lurhmann's (probably) fantastical 3-D interpretation of F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic The Great Gatsby.

What else? Read on to see just what Wired can't wait to see in 2013.

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Kaiju Attack! Pacific Rim Ups the Stakes in 'Bot War Game

Story:Director Guillermo del Toro has summarized the movie as "giant fucking monsters against giant fucking robots" and that really should be enough to get butts in the seats. But beyond that, those monsters — kaiju, to be exact — are looking to destroy everything in their path and the only thing that can combat them are 25-story "Jaeger" robots and the top-gun heroes who pilot them. A battle for the future of humanity ensues.

Why it could be cool: There's no way this could not be cool. Del Toro had crowds screaming for the early teaser he showed at both San Diego and New York comic cons, which featured the kind of epic battles that just take your breath away. The flick also promises to be a true heroic the-world-bands-together-against-a-common-enemy action movie steered by performances from the likes of Idris Elba, Charlie Hunnam, and Ron Perlman. Del Toro has been diligently working on this project for a while now and shows no signs of letting down one single nerd.

Story: A group of friends goes to a cabin in the woods and finds a Book of Dead. Horror ensues. You know the drill.

Why it could be cool: This is Fede Alvarez's remake of the 1981 classic. And even though original star Bruce Campbell isn't in this reincarnation, he did produce it with original director Sam Raimi and has already promised that it won't screw over audiences. Also, it looks scary as hell.

Cautionary note: There's always a chance for disappointment with a remake of a horror classic. It's just a fact of life (and death).

Story: A young man with super-human powers comes from his home planet of Krypton to Earth and uses his super powers to defend his adopted home. (Honestly, if you don't know Superman's story, you're probably not reading this website.)

Why it could be cool: It's a total reboot for Superman. During San Diego Comic-Con this summer director Zack Snyder told the audience "we respect the canon and we know the comic book exists; the movies are their own thing" and pledged he would make the film like it was the first Superman flick ever made. That might be a refreshing approach, and one that could work under the tutelage of producer Christopher Nolan, who did something similar with Batman. And so far, trailers for the film have shown a more conflicted, somber hero, making room for a movie as full of real drama as it is with action.

Cautionary note: Creating a movie based on the premise that it's the first Superman movie ever is a big gamble, it could go either way. See also: Sucker Punch.

Story: After surviving the kid-versus-kid death-match known as the Hunger Games in the futuristic dystopia of Panem, young archery badass Katniss Everdeen (played by Jennifer Lawrence) must go back to the arena once more to face off against other Hunger Games winners in the Quarter Quell.

Why it could be cool:The Hunger Games' release earlier this year did more than just prove it was possible to faithfully adapt Suzanne Collins' young adult novel — it proved that Hollywood could make serious bucks on a movie with a female heroine (hate to say it, but told ya so). It also ignited something of a cultural revolution, with The New York Times Magazine declaring that along with some other great female-led films, 2012 was "Hollywood's Year of Heroine Worship." Since Katniss — and her quest for revolution — only get more intense in Catching Fire, the movie is being set up to be a knock-out.

Cautionary note: The first Hunger Games movie got its look and feel from director Gary Ross. The next installment is being helmed by Francis Lawrence, so there's always a chance that a new director will take the flick in a less-than-pleasing direction. (However, Lawrence got his start making music videos and went on to direct gritty action movies like I Am Legend and Constantine, so he has the chops to bring pop sensibility to a big action movie.)

Story:A young zombie named R (played by X-Men: First Class' Nicholas Hoult) develops feelings for a human girl whose father is on a walker-annihilation quest. By falling for the girl, R begins to recover from his zombification. Romeo and Juliet got nothing on these two.

Why it could be cool: Hoult is fantastically endearing actor who has done everything from About a Boy to A Single Man without missing a beat so far — he'll also soon be Bryan Singer's Jack the Giant Slayer. There's no reason to think he couldn't pull off this quirky zombie-in-love thing. Also, as much as we love zombies, in the world of The Walking Dead and the upcoming World War Z they're only ever portrayed as vicious monsters. It might be nice to meet one we want to root for, just this once.

Cautionary note: It's a love story based on a young adult novel that has eerily familiar blue tones in its lighting, so it's Twilight until proven innocent.

Story:The crew of the USS Enterprise return home but find there's a bad guy in their midst (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), so Captain James T. Kirk and crew must save the Starfleet.

Why it could be cool: Director J.J. Abrams has re-teamed with writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman (and added Damon Lindelof) for his second Trek flick, so it should be as good as the first, if not better. Also, judging by the first trailer, there seem to be lots of cool explosions and stuff.

Cautionary note: It's another installment of a beloved franchise, these things are always kind of breath-holders until we walk out of the theater.

Story: A bullied high school girl named Carrie discovers here telekinetic powers and exacts revenge on her small Maine town.

Why it could be cool: Based on Stephen King's 1974 novel and essentially a remake of Brian De Palma's adaptation, it may seem unnecessary to re-tread such sacred ground. But considering the current cultural climate where teenage bullying has come to the forefront of the conversation, suddenly Carrie White's story seems even more relevant now as it was in the 1970s. Also, this version is being directed by Kimberly Peirce, whose Boys Don't Cry is as heartbreaking today it was in 1999, and it scored Hilary Swank an Oscar. Also, your Carrie this time around is Chloë Grace Moretz, and watching Hit-Girl go all fire-and-brimstone is something we'd like to see.

Cautionary note: De Palma's film is a horror classic; those looking for something to beat it will be setting a pretty high bar.

Story: In the future — 2159 to be exact — the super rich live on a space station while the poor remain on Earth, which is in ruins. One man goes on a mission to reunite the two worlds.

Why it could be cool: It's the latest from District 9 writer/director Neill Blomkamp, who scored his lead Matt Damon thanks to his geeky planning. “There was this graphic novel that Neill had done on his computer with this entire world he had built,” Damon said during the film's panel earlier this year at Comic-Con International. “I’d never seen anything like it. Then there was a corresponding book of weaponry, and a whole other book of vehicles. Normally, you make an educated guess about if a movie is going to work, but for Elysium I had so much information, I decided there’s no way I’m going to let this one get away.” We probably shouldn't let it get away either.

Cautionary note: There's always a chance that a filmmaker like Blomkamp, who had a much-beloved first feature, could fail make lightning strike twice in the same place. The chances seem slim, but it's possible.

Story: Based on Orson Scott Card's sci-fi novel of same name (see cover above), the future tale focuses on a gifted young man sent to a military school to prepare for a future alien invasion.

Why it could be cool: The book it's based on is a sci-fi classic. It's got a solid cast of young actors from Little Miss Sunshine's Abigail Breslin to Hugo's Asa Butterfield — as Ender himself — and True Grit's Hailee Steinfeld. Also, Harrison Ford as Colonel Hyrum Graff. We repeat: Harrison Ford. Indiana Jones is in this movie.

Cautionary note: The book it's based on is a sci-fi classic. Anxiety is to be expected.

Story: The all-American heroes fight against Cobra and forces within the government.

Why it could be cool: The trailers so far have made it look too fun to ignore. And director Jon M. Chu is just a big fan who is finally getting a chance to make a Joe movie. Also, more Channing Tatum.

Cautionary note: Chu has previously been known for directing song-and-dance films like two Step Up flicks and Justin Bieber: Never Say Never, so his mettle has yet to be tested with a big military action picture.

Story: Rogue LAPD cops do anything necessary to keep East Coast mob types out of their town in the 1940s and 50s.

Why it could be cool: The cast. Everyone from Ryan Gosling to Sean Penn to Josh Brolin to Emma Stone is in this picture. And, surprisingly, it's directed by Ruben Fleischer, who previously put his pizzazz on Zombieland and 30 Minutes or Less. It should be manna for fans of gangster flicks.

Cautionary note: Fleischer's previous flicks show little sign that a flashy period crime drama is anywhere in his wheelhouse, so whether or not he pulls off Gangster Squad is anyone's guess.

Story: After saving the world with his fellow Avengers, Tony Stark can't sleep and constantly worries that someone's out to kill him. Then Mandarin (Ben Kingsley) shows up.

Why it could be cool: The entire Marvel universe got super-charged with the release of The Avengers last summer, so a lot is riding on Tony Stark and company to keep the franchise as bombastic as Joss Whedon's mega-flick was. Keep calm and remember that Robert Downey Jr.'s conflicted playboy superhero launched this incarnation of the Marvel world in the first place. There's no reason the third time won't be a charm.

Cautionary note: Like Catching Fire, Iron Man 3 is also getting a new director in Shane Black. He may not be Jon Favreau, who directed the previous two films, but he promises to follow his playbook, telling Wired recently he'd like to bring the flicks "back to a sort of more gritty, intense kind of techno-thriller root.”

Story: A young farmer named Jack must go to the world of giants to save a princess.

Why it could be cool: The other film starring Nicholas Hoult coming out in the first half of 2013, Jack the Giant Slayer is director Bryan Singer's take on a classic fairy tale. (It's also a reunion between the director and writer Christopher McQuarrie, who wrote Singer's The Usual Suspects and co-wrote Valkyrie.) Mostly, Slayer just looks like fun — something in line with Snow White and the Huntsman. Big action, cool effects, and supporting roles for Stanley Tucci and Ian McShane means it might turn out to be worth more than a hill of beans.

Cautionary note: There have been a fair number of fairy tale adaptations lately. If you're already feeling burned out on the genre, this flick probably won't help.

Story: Only a few details are known, but apparently the events in the first Kick-Ass lead to a spread in amateur vigilantism and a Red Mist looking for revenge.

Why it could be cool: The first film (above), well, kicked ass. And with the original cast returning and being joined by Jim Carrey as Colonel Stars and Stripes, this movie shows promise. And anything with Chloë Grace Moretz's Hit-Girl can't be all bad.

Cautionary note: The original film's director Matthew Vaughn won't be handling the sequel; instead it's being taken over by Jeff Wadlow, whose most notable credit is 2008's Never Back Down.

Story: A young woman struggles with pills that have (see above) unexpected side effects. Also her doctor is a creepy Jude Law-type (played by Jude Law).

Why it could be cool:The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo's Rooney Mara pairs up with director Steven Soderbergh for a psychological thriller about anxiety medications? And Channing Tatum is involved? You had us at "Rooney Mara." And "Steven Soderbergh." And "Channing Tatum." (Seriously.)

Cautionary note: While a huge chunk of Soderbergh's flicks have been worth the price of admission, every now and then he slips (The Informant! was kind of lukewarm), so there's always a chance this could fall in the "Miss" column.

Story: An operative for a private intelligence firm named Sarah Moss (played by Arbitrage's Brit Marling) infiltrates an anarchist group known for attacks against major corporations. Her intention is to protect her big company clients, but she becomes torn between her two worlds after she begins to fall for the group's leader.

Why it could be cool: This is the latest film from Marling and co-writer/director Zal Batmanglij, whose last film Sound of My Voice was a very smart indie about a time-traveling cult leader. Now with brilliant stars like Ellen Page and Alexander Skarsgård involved, The East promises to take the power duo to the next level.

Cautionary note: Judging by their last film, Marling and Batmanglij are out to make a certain kind of cerebral indie flick that may not be for everyone. Those who didn't like Sound of My Voice may not be impressed.

Story: Adapted from the F. Scott Fitzgerald classic that you probably read in high school, The Great Gatsby is told by Nick Carraway (Tobey Maguire) who gets enthralled in the decadent world of Jay Gatsby. Shenanigans — and probably musical numbers — ensue.

Why it could be cool: Director Baz Luhrmann has a knack for taking classic texts and making them modern (Romeo + Juliet) and also incorporating contemporary music into old tales (Moulin Rouge!) — Gatsby could be a perfect storm of both of those skills in one film. Also, Leonardo DiCaprio is playing Gatsby and it's in 3-D.

Cautionary note: Leonardo DiCaprio is playing Gatsby and it's in 3-D. Those things both have potential to be amazing or disastrous.

Story: The second chapter in Peter Jackson's trilogy based on The Hobbit.

Why it could be cool: If you loved the grand spectacle and 48-frames-per-second 3-D magnificence of Jackson's first installment (above), this one should keep you happy as a hobbit in Hobbiton.

Cautionary note:If you're like some of us, you might have thought The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey was a bit of an unexpected slog and might think this film's title should be The Hobbit: Are We There Yet?

Story: Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) takes his adamantium claws to Japan to train with a samurai following the events of the first three X-Men movies when he's lost his ties to other mutants and the world.

Why it could be cool: Is there anyone who doesn't like Hugh Jackman as Wolverine? (And, really, is there anyone who doesn't like Hugh Jackman? The dude can do anything.) Even though there won't even be a trailer released for this flick until next year, leaving us not much to go on, we're just going to bet that it'll be fun. Director James Mangold doesn't have a lot of experience with comic book movies, but he did direct awesome flicks like Walk the Line and Girl, Interrupted so it'll be exciting to see what he does with the mutant Logan.

Story: Thor saves the universe. Again. This time from Malekith and the Dark Elves who threaten to turn off the lights in the cosmos.

Why it could be cool: The first Thor was awesome and proved Chris Hemsworth made a pretty great action hero. His reign of awesome continued in The Avengers. Coming just a few months after the release of Iron Man 3, the second Thor installment could be the bang that ends the Marvel cinematic universe's year.

Cautionary note: Like Iron Man 3, the new Thor movie has a new director. Kenneth Branagh directed the first film, and Alan Taylor is helming the sequel, so: new director alert. However, prior to starting The Dark World Taylor directed some of the best episodes of Game of Thrones last season. So we're guessing he's One of Us.

Release date: Nov. 8, 2013

All Zombies, All the Time: World War Z

Story: A United Nations employee (played by Brad Pitt) tries to stop the zombie apocalypse.

Why it could be cool: Based on the recently released first trailer, director Marc Forster's World War Z seems to have taken Max Brooks' 2006 novel's measured oral history and turned it into a non-stop action assault complete with swarming zombie hordes. OK, sure. That sounds like something we'd pay to see.

Cautionary note: The movie has been plagued by hold ups from script revisions and re-shoots — things that don't usually bode well for major motion pictures.